Posted on 05/28/2012 6:05:44 PM PDT by AndyJackson
A 17-year-old high school student working two jobs to support her siblings, while juggling college-level classes, spent 24 hours in jail this week for missing too much school, KHOU 11 News reported.
Diane Tran, an 11th-grader at Willis High School in Willis, Texas said she was often too exhausted to get to school in time.
Judge Lanny Moriarty said he warned the student last month not to miss any more classes or she would be violating truancy law, KHOU 11 News reported. When she missed school again, he had her thrown in jail.
"If you let one run loose, what are you gonna do with the rest of 'em? Let them go too?" Judge Moriarty asked the TV station.
Tran said her parents divorced unexpectedly and left town, leaving it up to her to support her younger sister, who lives with relatives, and her brother's university education, KHOU 11 News reported.
Tran works full-time at a dry cleaner and weekends at Waverly Manor wedding venue, where she lives with the family that owns the business.
At school she takes several advanced placement and college-level courses, often staying up all night, a classmate, coworker and friend of Tran's told the TV station.
Judge Moriarty admitted he was using Tran as an example. Willis High School has a warning about truancy violation on its website .
According to Texas truancy law students can have no more than 10 unexcused absences - full days or part days - within six months, and no more than three absences within one month.
Lanny Moriarty, I so very much want to put my boot up your ass. It’d be worth the trip to Texas just for that reason alone.
I see tar, feathers, and a fence rail in your future.
I know Lanny Moriarty PERSONALLY, and he is not a jackass!
There is most likely much more to this story, and I will find out. I sure wont believe ANY news station out of Houston!
I know Lanny, and I would sure like to see you try!
This is a matter for the voters of Montgomery County, TEXAS.
There is more to this story. He will be around a long time.
How is this Constitutional? Whatever happened to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? A school can suspend a student for absenteeism, but how can a student be jailed? In Canada, when you turn 16 you can school and your parents where to go and try to make a go of it on your own. You may be foolish and end up on the streets, but you have a right to fail. A black day for once free America.
So he added to her hardship by throwing her in jail, just to make an example out of her. Maybe if she was a welfare queen, with a dozen kids from as many fathers, he would have been kinder and more politically correct.
My understanding is that if a student misses a certain number of days they , the school district, are ineligible for Federal reimbursement for tuition for that student. Follow the money.
I am hoping there is more to this story.
Could you post here if there is?
Dr. Moriarity is BACK.
Holmes: I’m on his case!
Hope the people of Texas are too.
Probably, but there may be nothing that reflects better on Lanny. If there is, he better get it out there because the real world operates on public perception, Lanny may be around a lot longer than his reputation. In the legal world even the appearance of impropriety is fatal.
This child’s parents should be in jail for abandoning two kids under 18 without support or money.
Yep, that's the real reason for truancy laws.
Usually the revenuers don't have to contend with an excelling student who simply doesn't come to class.
Once the public figures out that it's the Money for Just Us, the judge's reason becomes obvious.
My tag line. Being proved to be true every day and I take no pride in saying it.
Even a personal friend can make a jackass of himself.
Is this for real? This judge needs to be removed from the bench. The kid needs HELP, not punishment.
Bookmarking for follow up.
Bookmarking for follow-up.
If she is keeping her grades up and maintaining honor roll status under this grueling schedule then making an “example” of her was stupid on steroids.
Perhaps you could suggest to your friend that he pull his head out of his ass.
This judge is obviously is suffering from rabies...
Well the adage that “Who are you going to believe? Your eyes and ears or the media?” (to paraphrase someone) . If true my statement stands, if not the judge probably has grounds for a lawsuit. The “Nations Media” has long since proven that they have their own agenda and honesty and accuracy are not in their business plan.
That is true, but something tells me that there is more to this story. Also, something to consider in this case, is that the law sometimes doesn’t give a judge an option to be lenient. I just don’t believe ANYTHING Channel 11 Houston, (Communist Broadcasting Company) puts out!
Perhaps he has no choice under the law. This school district has had a serious problem with truancy, and I am not sure he had many options.
As for the comment, I suggest YOU tell him. But be careful, he is about 6ft 3 and PACKS! (as do a lot of TEXAS judges)
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